Obesity tied to brain change related to memory, emotions

Scientists have found that being overweight may be related to reduced levels of a molecule tied to brain cell health in the hippocampus--the part of the brain associated with memory, emotions and likely appetite control. reduce levels of a molecule that reflects brain cell health in the hippocampus, which affects learning, emotions, and likely appetite control, according to a study published in _Neuroimage: Clinical
_

For the study, published in _Neuroimage: Clinical, r_esearchers used a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application, to visualize the molecule, N-acetyl-asparate (NAA). Overweight participants showed lower levels of NAA in the hippocampus than normal weight subjects.

The role of the hippocampus in appetite control is less established than its role in memory and emotional control, and researchers are not sure if the low NAA is a consequence of being overweight, a cause of being overweight or a combination of both. Further studies are necessary to see if weight loss leads to increased NAA.